Carveable compositions comprsing paraffin wax, ethylene-vinyl acetate or ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer and plasticizer



United States Patent 'CARVEABLE CGMPUSITIONS COMPRISING PAR- AFFIN WAX,ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE 0R ETHYLENE -ETHYL ACRYLATE COPDLYMER ANDPLASTICIZER Travis L. Gordy, Francis J. Higgins, and Olen L. Riggs,

In, Ponca City, Okla, assignors to Continental Oil Company, Ponca City,Okla a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Continuation-impart ofapplication Ser. No. 273,329, Apr. 18, 1963. This application Jan. 27,1964, Ser. No. 340,527

3.3 Claims. (Cl. 26027) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE Wax-containingcomposition which is easily carveable and particularly suitable for useas carving or sculpturing blocks. The composition comprises paraiiinwax, wax-extendible copolymer (e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer)and plasticizing agent (e.g., methyl stearate).

The present invention relates to wax-containing compositions. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to wax-containingcompositions having properties which render them particularly useful assouplturing or carving materials. In a preferred aspect, the inventionrelates to sculpturing blocks having a composition which comprisesparaffin wax, wax-extendible copolymer and a plasticizing agent.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 273,829, filed Apr. 18, 1963, and now abandoned.

Heretofore numerous materials have been used as carving blocks; by thisWe mean the materials are particularly suited for both chlidren andadults to carve objects such as animals, toys, and the like. Examples ofmaterials which have heretofore been used include soap, paraffin wax,chalk and the like. While in general these materials have beensatisfactory, they have possessed certain deficiencies. An example ofsuch a deficiency is brittleness. Materials such as soap and paraffinwax are brittle and have a tendency to flakiness. In addition, thematerials have been deficient in that the plasticity or workability ofthe materials was difficult to control. For example, an adult may prefera material which is relatively hard and resists the use of comparativelysharp tools for working therewith. By contrast, it is desirable thatcarving blocks for children be relatively plastic in order that they canbe worked with dull or blunt tools.

It has been found that certain wax-containing compositions, andparticularly those wax-containing compositions which contain certainpreferred plasticizing agents, have properties which render themparticularly useful as materials for carving or sculpturing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide Waxcontainingcompositions which are suitable for use as sculpturing blocks.

It is another object of the invention to provide a compositioncomprising paraffin wax, wax-extendible copolymer and plasticizing agentwhich is particularly suitable for use as a sculpturing block. In anoptional aspect, this object of the invention can include a crystalmodifier for the paraflin wax.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide as an article ofmanufacture a sculpturing block comprising paraffin wax andwax-extendible copolymer.

It is still another object of the invention to provide as 3,386,936Patented June 4, 1968 an article of manufacture of sculpturing blockcomprising paraffin wax, wax-extendible copolymer, and plasticizingagent. In an optional aspect of this object of the invention, thesculpturing block can include a crystal modifier for the parafiin wax.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide processes forpreparing the above-mentioned sculpturing blocks.

Broadly stated, the present invention relates to a waxcontainingcomposition which is suitable as a sculpturing material. In one aspectof this embodiment, the composition comprises parafiins wax,wax-extendible copolymer and a crystal modifier. In a preferred aspectof this embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises parafiinwax, wax-extendible copolymer and plasticizing agent. The preferredaspect can include, if desired, a crystal modifier.

In another embodiment the invention relates to sculpturing blocks asarticles of manufacture, said sculpturing blocks comprising paratiin waxand wax-extendible copolymer. In one aspect of this embodiment thesculpturing block comprises parafiin wax, wax-extendible copolymer and acrystal modifier. In a preferred aspect of this embodiment thescnlpturing block comprises paraffin wax, waX-extendible copolymer andplasticizing agent. The preferred aspect can include, if desired, acrystal modifier.

In still another embodiment the invention relates to processes forpreparing the above-mentioned sculpturing blocks.

Prior to presenting examples which illustrate the preferred aspects ofour invention, it may be best at this point to discuss the compositionswhich can be used in our sculpturing blocks and the materials which areused in the compositions. The terms sculptu-ring blocks and carvingblocks are used synonymously herein. They refer to solid pieces of anyshape, but more usually of a regular shape, such as square, rectangular,spherical, and the like. Also, they refer to any size, from very smallto very large, insofar as they can be carved or sculptured. The solidpieces of materials are used to create animals, toys, and art objects.It is will known that in beginning art classes carving blocks of soapand the like have been used. Our invention provides such carving blocksof varying degrees of hardness, workability and plasticity. For example,our invention can provide a relatively hard carving block for use byadults. Such a material requires a sharp instrument for carving. It is aparticular advantage of our invention that we can provide a carvingblock particularly suitable for children. The material is easily carvedwith a blunt instrument yet it is not brittle and is relativelyresistant to impact (in other words, it does not dent" or deformeasily).

The carving blocks of our invention can have the following composition:

Parts by Weight Suitable Preferred Paratlin wax. 2-19 4-15Wax-extendible copolymer 1-10 5-10 3% position of matter and article ofmanufacture, have the fol-lowing composition:

Parts by Weight More Suitable Suitable Preferred Paraflin wax 9-18 9-179-16 Wax-extendible copolymer- 1-9 2-6 4-7 Plasticizing agent 1-9 1-71-6 In addition, if desired, a crystal modifier can be added to theseembodiments of our invention. This crystal modifier is used in an amountin the range of (1.03 to 1.5 parts per part of paraflin wax. Carvingblocks of the preceding composition range can be prepared in a widerange of hardness and plasticity. The carving blocks having the loweramount of plasticizing agent have properties approaching those of thecarving blocks listed above.

The term paraffin wax is used to define the hard, crystalline waxcommonly obtained from petroleum distillates, derived from mineral oilsof the mixed-base or paraffin-base type. By the present refiningmethods, crude petroleum oil is subjected to distillation whereby it isseparated into a series of fractions known as parafifin distillates. Thewax is separated from the paraffin distillate by chilling and filteringor by the use of a solvent, as for example, propane or a ketone such asmethyl ethyl ketone. The wax obtained by either of these two methodscontains from to 50 percent oil and is generally referred to as slackwax." This slack wax is subjected to a sweating operation to remove theoil. By proper sweating the oil content may be reduced to less than 1percent. Also, the oil content may be reduced to an acceptable value byother methods such as solvent deoiling or press deoiling. The finalproduct is known as refined wax or paraffin wax and is graded accordingto the tensile strength, melting point, oil content, hardness, etc.

While any of the waxes conforming to the preceding definition can beused in our invention, the more suitable waxes have a melting point inthe range of 115-160 F., while the preferred waxes have a melting pointin the range of 120-135 F. Also, the oil content of the more suitableparaffin waxes is about 2.5 percent by weight or less with the preferredwaxes having an oil content of about 1.0 percent by weight or less.

Suitable Wax-extcndible copolymers for use in our invention includes thefollowing: ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylatecopolymers, and mixtures thereof. Of these, the ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers are preferred.

The ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and the ethyleneethyl acrylatecopolymers are prepared by free radical polymerization of theco-monomers at elevated temperatures and pressures. The copolymers areusually identified by a combination of the ratios of the co-monomerspresent in the product and by the melt indexes. Suitable ethylenevinylacetate copolymers for use in the present invention are those containingfrom about 60 to about 82 percent (weight) ethylene and from about 18 toabout 40 percent (weight) vinyl acetate and having melt indexes in therange of about 3 to about 400. Particularly suitable ethylene-vinylacetate copolymers are those containing from about 65 to about 82percent (weight) ethylene and from about 18 to about 35 percent (weight)vinyl acetate and having melt indexes in the range of about 10 to about400. Preferred ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers are those containingfrom about 70 to about 75 percent (weight) ethylene and from about 25 toabout 30' percent (weight) vinyl acetate and having melt indexes in therange of about 10 to about 200. Suitable ethylene-ethyl acrylatecopolymers are those containing from about 65 to about 85 percent(weight) ethylene and from about to about 35 percent (weight) ethylacrylate and having melt indexes in the range of about 3 to about 30.

Ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers are available in commercialquantities under the ZETAFIN trademark.

They are also available under a DQDA series identification.

Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers are available in commercial quantitiesunder the ELVAX trademark. Properties of various ELVAX copolymers are asfollows:

The melt index is determined by ASTM Method N0. Dl23S-57T.

Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers are also available under the Co-MER VAtrademark. Properties of various Co-MER VA resins are as follows:

00- Co- Co- MER VA MER VA MER VA DQD-7268 DQD-G225 DQD-3269 Property(Jo-monomer ratio:

Percent ethylene 72 82 72 Percent vinyl acetate- 28 18 28 Melt Index,gms./l0 min- 350 17-23 Density, gin/cc .943 0.935 0.950 RefractiveIndex, 25 0., D line. 1. 483 1. 497 1. 483

Softening point, ring and ball,

As indicated previously, the combination of parafiin wax andwax-extendible copolymer (preferably, ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer)gives a composition which is suitable for use as a sculpturing block.The addition of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer to the paraffin waxproduces a noticeable improvement in the flexibility of the block. Atany given ratio of copolymer to wax, the flexibility improvement isdirectly related to the increasing molecular weight of the copolymer. Asthe ratio of copolymer to wax increases, flexibility improves, andstrength or toughness increases. However, the effort required to carvealso increases. Because of this, a paraffin Wax-copolymer compositioncontaining sufficient copolymer to produce the desired flexibility mayrequire more effort to carve than may be desirable to some users. Wehave discovered that certain plasticizing agents can be included in thecomposition which do not detract from the flexibility of the carvingblock, yet they improve the ease of carving the product. It is ofinterest that some plasticizers improve both flexibility and carvingease.

Suitable plasticizing agents for use in our invention include thefollowing:

Chlorinated paraflins* Chlorinated biphenyls Petrolatum Microcrystallinewax-petrolatum combinations Glycerol monolaurate* Acetylatedmonoglycerides* Hydrogenated methyl ester of rosins* Esters of alkanoicacids* Coploymers of a-rnethyl styrene and vinyl toluene* Of thepreceding suitable plasticizing agents, the members indicated with anasterisk are more suitable for use in the present invention. It is ofinterest that the hydrogenated methyl ester of rosins imparts apine-like odor to the carving block. The esters of alkanoic acids arethe preferred plasticizing agents of this invention. The esters cancontain a total of 8 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably 13 to 26 carbonatoms, and more preferably 13 to 22 carbon atoms. They can includeeither alkyl or aryl groups. The alkyl groups can be derived either fromthe acid or the alcohol forming the ester, can be either long or shortchain, and can be either straight or branched chain. Similarly, the arylgroup can be derived either fro-m the acid or the alcohol forming theester. In addition, the ester can be derived from both monobasic anddibasic acids.

A particularly preferred group of esters are the alkyl esters ofalkanoic acids having the following structural formula:

wherein R is an alkyl group having not more than 8 carbon atoms and y isan integer equal to at least 4. Preferably, R has 1-4 carbon atoms and yis an integer equal to 10-20. More prefer-ably, y is an integer equal to10-16. Both the alkyl group and the acyl group of the ester may beeither straight or branched chain.

Examples of esters which are preferred plasticizing agents include hexylheptanoate, hexyl caprylate, .octyl capyrlate, ethyl pelargonate, ethyldecano-ate, octyl decanoate, ethyl n-undecy'late, n-butyl laurate, octyllaurate, methyl myristate, n-butyl myristate, octyl myristate, methylpalmitate, n-bu-tyl palmitate, octyl p-almirtate, methyl stea-rate,n-butyl stearate, octyl stearate, ethyl nonadecanoic, methy-ldocosanate, ethyl hexacosanate, methyl triacontanate, hexadecyi acetate,hexadecyl propionate, hexadecyl butyrate, octadecyl acetate, octadecylpropionate, eicosyl acetate, docosyl acetate, tetracosyl acetate,acetate ester of mixtures of c -C straight chain alcohols, dihexylglutarate, di-decyl sebacate, di-

octyl azzelate, di-isooctyl isopht-halate, di-n-hexyl terephthalate,phthalate ester .of mixed G -C straight-chain alcohols.

The manufacture and properties of a-methyl styrenevinyl toluenecopolymers are described in US. Patent No. 3,000,868. These copolymersare available under the trademark Piccotex. They are available invarious grades, based upon their softening point. For example, Piccotexr100 refers to a copolymer having a softening point of 100 C.

As used herein, the term plasticizing agent is intended to include anymaterial which exerts a plasticizing effect in the compositions andarticles of this invention. This term is intended to include materialswhich, in addition to plasticizing, also have other effects. Forexample, some of the crystal modifying agents which are discussedsubsequently also exert a plasticizing effect and thus can be consideredto come within the scope of the definition. The term plasti-cizingeffect, as used herein, means a softening and/or flexibilizing effect.

In the event it is desired to produce a carving block which has aminimum waxy, or soapy feel, a paraflin crystal modifier can beincorporated into the block. Examples of suitable crystal modifiers are:

Microcrystal'line wax Wax compatible polyethylenes (having molecularweight in the range of -1,500-12,0O 0) Rosin and rosin derived resinsTerpene resins The crystal modifiers are used in amounts in the range of0.03 to 1.5 parts per part of paraffin wax. The amount used dependspartly on the molecular weight of the crystal modifier. 'For example, inthe list of suitable crystal modifiers given above, microscrystallinewax has a relatively low molecular weight and might be used inquantities approaching the upper part of the range. By contrast, arelatively high molecular weight polyethylene might be used inquantities in the lower part of the range.

The term microcrysta-lline wax refers to a wax material Which isobtained usually from the residual product of the vacuum distillation oflubricating oils. In general, microcrystalline waxes contain only veryminor quantities of straight chain paraflinic hydrocarbons. Foradditional information concerning the properties and preparation ofmicrocrystalline waxes, we refer to US. Patent No. 2,983,664, byConcetto T. Camilli.

In addition, it may be desirable to include in the carving blockpigments, such as titanium dioxide, iron oxide, etc., dyes, perfumes, orfillers, which can be either organic or inorganic. It is to beunderstood that the use of these materials is optional and does not formpart of our invention.

One method of preparing the sculpturing blocks of our inventioncomprises the following:

(a) blend desired components (e.g., parafiin wax, co-

polymer, and pl-asticizing agent) in molten state,

(b) incorporate any desired pigment, dye, etc., in the admixture,

(c) pour into mold,

(d) remove from mold.

In the preceding method it is desirable to use a release agent. Therelease agent (for example, a silicone) can be used to coat the moldsurfaces. If desired, a release agent can be incorporated in theformulation. In this procedure, glycerol monolau-rate is useful as arelease agent.

Another method of preparing the sculpturing blocks of our invention isby injection molding.

Still another method is to form slabs in conventional wax slabbing pans.The slabs are then cut to desired size with knives, or wires.

Yet another method is to extrude in a long bar shape and then cut intodesired 'lengths.

An additional method is to prepare the carving block composition inpellet form, melt the pellets and mold or cast into the desired shapeand size. In this method the steps of melting and molding are conductedby the user or person who carves the block.

In summary, our invention comprises at least a twocomponent carvingblock (e.g., parafiin wax and copolymer). An optional embodiment of ourinvention comprises the use of three components (e.g., paraffin wax,copolymer, and crystal modifier). A preferred embodiment of ourinvention comprises three components, viz. paraffin wax, copolymer, andplasticizin-g agent. Another embodiment of our invention comprises fourcomponents, parafiin wax, copolymer, plasticizin-g agent, and crystalmodifier.

In order to disclose the nature of the present invention still moreclearly, the following illustrative examples will be given. It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to thespecific conditions or details set forth in these examples exceptinsofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Example '1 Carving blocks were prepared having the followingcompositions in parts by weight:

Blend Number Paraffin wax. 127 F., melting point 73 3 6 Ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer-I 25 Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer-II 1Polyethylene I Methyl stearate 1 Elvax 250. 2 Elvax 220. Molecularweight 4,000; density 0.89 DYD'I.

Example 2 Carving blocks were prepared from the following compositions:

Blend D: Parts by weigh Parafin wax having an ASTM melting point of125430 F. and an oil content of less than 0.5 percent 7.5 Hydrogenatedmethyl ester of rosin 2 1.0 Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolynner 1.5

Blend E:

Paraffin wax having an ASTM melting point of 125130 F. and an oilcontent of less than 0.5 percent 7.8 Hydrogenated methyl ester of rosin2 l.0 Ethylene-vinyl ace ate copolymer 2.3

Blend F:

Paraffin wax having an ASTM melting point of 125-130 F. and an oilcontent of less than 0.5 percent 6.7 Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer2.0 Blend G:

Paraffin wax having an ASTM melting point of 125130 F. and an oilcontent of less than 0.5 percent 9.0 Methyl stearate 4.0 Ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer 6.0

a-Methyl styrene-vinyl toluene coplyrner- 1.0

1 Elvax. 220.

The hydrogenated methyl ester of rosin was Herco1yn" D.

" The methyl stearate was Metholene 2218, 95% purity.

The annethyl sty1'ene-\'inyl toluene copolymcr was Piccotcx. Grade 120was used.

Example 3 Using ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, carving blocks wereprepared having the following composition:

1 The paraffin wax had an ASTM melting point of 125-130 1. and an oilcontent of less than 0.5 percent.

The ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer was Zetafin 70. This material hada melt index of 18:5 and a density of 0.929.

All of the blocks prepared from the above blends were carveable. Theblock from blend A required more effort to carve than the block fromblend B, while in turn the block from blend B required more effort tocarve than the block from blend C. The block from blend A was moredifiicult to break than a strai ht paraffin wax but was somewhatdeficient in flexibility properties. block from blend B was somewhatmore flexible than the block from blend A. The block from blend C hadthe best carveability and flexibility of the three blends. it did nothave, however, properties as good as blocks prepared from similar blendsusing ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer,

Example 4 In this example, penetration data were obtained on blocksprepared from various blends. The blend compositions and the dataobtained were as follows:

N ecdle Pcnctra:

Composition Parts ti0n, mmr (Weight) Blend: C 1 2 3 2 12 opo ymer A"{Paraffin wax 3 7 Copolymer 2 3 B Paraffin Wax 6. 5 3 13 1O Methylstearate 0. 5

Copolyrner 3 l C Parafin wax 6 3 21 Methyl stearatc 1 I Copolymer 3 DParaffin wa. 5. 5 8 24 Methyl steara l. 5 Copolymer 3 0 E Paraliin Wax 41a 35 Methyl stearatc 3 l ASTM Method Dl32l-57'l (100 g.). Elvax 220=Ancthylcnevinyl acetate copolyrner. 3 ASTM melting point of 125130 F. andan oil content of less than 0.5 percent.

Example 5 In this example, additiona. carving blocks were prepared andevaluated. The compositions of the blends Were as follows: 2:)

Components Parts by Weight Blend: A {Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer 5ParaflinWax 5 Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolyrner L 5 B Parafiin wax 2 5Di-hexyl glutaratc 1 Etnylcnevinyl acetate copolymer 5 C Paraliin wax 25 35 Di-decyl glutarato 1 Ethylene-vinyl acetate eopolymer 5 D Parafllnwax 9 5 Di-crcm-n-alkyl isophthalate- 1 Etuylenewmyl acetate copolymer 5E Paratlin wax 2 5 Di-decyl scbacate 1 JEtnylenevinyl acetate copolymer1 F Intermediate wax 4 2 [Parafin wax 5 G llElend 100 rrh-uceylscbacate. 3 H Blend -F 100 'llropyl stearate. 5 I {Blend F 100C20C2:l1-llkyl acetate 20 {Blend F 100 Cz0C:g-n-alkyla 15 K {Blend A 100Methyl stemat 10 5Q Elvax 220'.

2 This wax had an ASTM melting point of 128-132 F. and an Oil content ofloss than 1.5 percei Elvax 250. 4 This wax had an ASTM melting point oflib-150 F. and an 011 content of less than 0.5 percent. Theabove-described carving blocks had the following properties:

Blend: Properties A Cut-very hard.

Flexibility-flexible. B Cut-softer than base blend.

Flexibilityslightly brittle. C Cutsofter than base blend.

Flexibility-slightly brittle. D Cut-softer than base blend.Flexibility-flexible.

E Cut-softer than base blend.

Flexibilityfiexible. F Cutfair, slightly hard.

Flexibilitybrittle. G Cut-slightly softer than Blend F.

Flexibility-flexible. H Cut-softer than Blend F.

Flexibility-flexible. I Cut-slightly easier than the base. 7Flexibility-slightly flexible.

Example 6 Carving blocks were prepared containing parafiin wax,ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a number of plasticizing agents.The plasticizing agents evaluated were the following:

Di-C C -n-alkyl glutarate Di-hexyl glutarate Di-(Z-ethyD-hexyl glutarateDi-octyl glutarate Di-decyl glutarate Di-decyl sebacate Di-hexylsebacate Di- 2-ethyl) -hexyl seb acate Di-decyl isosebacate Di-hexylisosebacate Di-octyl isosebacate Di-octyl azelate Di-C C -n-alkylisophthalate Di-isooctyl isophthalate Di-isooctyl terephthalateDi-(2-ethyl)-hexyl isophthalate Di-n-hexyl terephthalate Di-n-octylterephthalate Di-isooctyl terephthalate Di-isooctyl isophthalate IDi-n-hexyl isophthalate i Di-n-decyl terephthalate Di-n-isophthalateThese materials were effective as plasticizing agents to some degree.

Example 7 Carving blocks were prepared having the followingcompositions:

Components Parts by Weight Methyl stcarate 1 Ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer a-Methyl styrene-vinyl toluene copol Paraffin wax 1 5 Paraffinwax 2" B Methyl stearate 2 a-Methyl styrene-vinyl toluene'copolymeiEthylene-vinyl acetate copolymer Paraffin wax 1" 5 Paraffin wax 2" 6a-Mcthyl styrene-vinyl toluene copolymor Ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer Acetate ester of mixed Gi -C22 straight-chain alcohols.Paraffin wax "1 5 Paraffin wax 1 Paraffin wax 2 Ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer Methyl stearate 2 Paraffin wax 1" 5 Paraffin wax 2" a EEthylene-vinyl acetate copolymer Phthalate ester of mixed C 0straight-chain alcohols. 6

1 Melting point 125-130" F. and an oil content of less than 0.5 percent.2 Metholene 2218. i t.

icco ex 5 ASTM melting point of l28132 F. and an oil content of lessthan 1.5

was effective. The blend containing this ester was easier to cut than asimilar blend, excluding the ester.

Example 8 Carving blocks were prepared having the followingcompositions:

3 Piccotcx 120.

Chlorowax LV"-a low viscosity, light yellow liquid containing 39-41percent by weight of chlorine.

AS'EM melting point of 138-140 F. and an oil content of less than 0.5percen Blocks prepared from the above-described compositions had goodcutting and flexibility properties.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, itwill be understood, of course, that the invention is not limitedthereto, since many modifications may be made; and it is, therefore,contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A composition of matter, particularly suitable for use as sculpturingblocks, consisting essentially of in parts by weight: about 9 to about18 parts paraffin wax, about 1 to about 9 parts wax-extendiblecopolymer, selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers containing from about 60 to about 82 percent (Weight)ethylene and from about 18 to about 40 percent (Weight) vinyl acetateand having melt indexes in the range of from about 3 to about 400, andethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers containing from about 65 to about 85percent (weight) ethylene and from about 15 to about 35 percent (Weight)ethyl acrylate and having melt indexes in the range of from about 3 toabout 30; and about 1 to about 9 parts plasticizing agent selected fromthe group consisting of chlorinated paraflins, chlorinated biphenyls,petrolatum, microcrystalline wax-petrolatum combinations, hydrogenatedmethyl ester of rosins, and esters of monohydric aliphatic alcohols andalkanoic acids, said esters containing a total of 8 to 50 carbon atoms.

2. A composition of matter, particularly suitable for use as sculpturingblocks, consisting essentially of in parts by Weight: about 9 to about18 parts paraifin wax, about 1 to about 9 parts wax-extendiblecopolymer, selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers containing from about 60 to about 82 percent (Weight)ethylene and from about 18 to about 40 percent (Weight) vinyl acetateand having melt indexes in the range of from about 3 to about 400; andethylene-ethylacrylate copolymers containing from about 65 to about 85percent (weight) ethylene and from about 15 to about 35 percent (weight)ethyl acrylate and having melt indexes in the range of from about 3 toabout 30; and about 1 to about 9 parts plasticizing agent which is anester of a monohydric aliphatic alcohol and an alkanoic acid, said estercontaining a total of 8 to 50 carbon atoms.

3. A composition of matter as defined in claim 2 characterized furtherin that it consists essentially of in parts by weight: about 9 to about16 parts paraffin wax, about 4 to about 7 parts wax-extendiblecopolymer, and about 1 to about 6 parts plasticizing agent.

4. A composition of matter as defined in claim 3, characterized furtherin that the plasticizing agent is an ester of an alkanoic acid havingthe formula:

0 II oHnonmoon wherein R is an alkyl group having not more than 8 carbonatoms and y is an integer equal to at least 4.

5. A composition of matter as defined in claim 4, characterized furtherin that the alltyl ester has the formula:

II ornwr-rnyoon wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4carbon atoms and y is an integer equal to to 20.

6. A composition of matter as defined in claim 5, characterized furtherin that y is an integer equal to 10 to 16.

7. A composition of matter as defined in claim 5, characterized furtherin that the copolymer contains from about 70 to about 75 percent(weight) ethylene and from about to about percent (Weight) vinyl acetateand has a melt index in the range of about 10 to about 200.

8. A composition of matter as defined in claim 6, characterized furtherin that the plasticizing agent is methyl stearate.

9. A composition of matter as defined in claim 6, characterized furtherin that the composition contains a crystal modifier in the amount ofabout 0.03 to about 1.5 parts per part paraifin Wax, said crystalmodifier being selected from the group consisting of microcrystallinewax, wax compatible polyethylenes having molecular weight in the rangeof 1,500 to 12,000, rosin and rosin-derived resins, and terpene resins.

10. As an article of manufacture a sculpturing block consistingessentially of in parts by Weight: about 9 to about 16 parts parafiinWax; about 4 to about 7 parts wax-extendible copolymer selected from thegroup consisting of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing fromabout to about percent (Weight) ethylene and from about 25 to about 30percent (weight) vinyl acetate and having melt indexes in the range offrom about 10 to about 200; and an ethylene-ethyl acrylate c0pc-lyme=.-containing from about 65 to about percent (Weight) ethylene and fromabout 15 to about 35 percent (Weight) ethyl acrylnte and having meltindexes in the range of from about 3 to about 30; and about 1 to about 6parts plasticizing agent selected from the group consisting ofchlorinated paraffins, chlorinated biphenyls, petrolatum,microcrystalline waX-petrolatum combinations, hydrogenated methyl esterof rosins, and esters of monohydric aliphatic alcohols and alkanoicacids, said esters containing a total of 8 to 50 carbon atoms.

11. As an article of manufacture a sculpturing block consistingessentially of in parts by weight: about 9 parts parafiin wax having anASTM melting point of -130 F.; about 4 parts methyl stearate; about 6parts ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer containing from 27 to 29 p3"- cent(weight) vinyl acetate and having a melt index in the range of 125-175;and about 1 part copolymer of amethyl styrene and vinyl toluene.

12. As an article of manufacture a sculpturing block consistingessentially of in parts by weight: about 9 parts paraffin wax having anASTM melting point of 125- F.; about 4 parts methyl stearate; about 6parts ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing from 27 to 29 percent(Weight) vinyl acetate and having a melt index in the range of 12-18;and about 1 part copolymer of amethyl styrene and vinyl toluene.

13. As an article of manufacture a sculptnring block consistingessentially of in parts by Weight: about 9 parts parafiin wax having amelting point of 128-132 E; about 5 parts parafiin Wax having a meltingpoint of 14-5-150 F.; about 2.5 parts methyl stearate; about 2.5 partsethylone-vinyl acetate copolymer containing from 27 to 29 percent(Weight) vinyl acetate and having a melt index of 12-18; and about 1part copolymer of a-methyl styrene and vinyl toluene.

Rel erences ited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,232,895 2/1966 Klein et al.260-27 3,306,882 2/1967 Pullen et al. 260-28.5 3,308,086 3/1967 Wartman26030.6 2,485,592 10/1949 Griess et al. 260-23 2,586,357 2/1952Llewellyn 26028.5 2,857,341 10/1958 Colwell et al. 26023 3,140,2687/1964 Halpern et al. 260-23 3,148,059 9/1964 Brunson et al. 260273,155,631 11/1964 Zapp 26028.5 3,175,986 3/1965 Apikos et al. 260-273,205,186 9/1965 Zaayenga 26028.5 3,207,716 9/1965 Lippoldt 260-233,245,931 4/l966 Matthew 26028.5 3,256,228 6/1966 Tyran 26028.53,325,431 6/1967 McManus 26028.5 3,330,793 7/1967 Podlipnilt et al26028.5 3,338,856 8/1967 Arabian et al. 26028.5

OTHER REFERENCES Hercules Products (1948), p. 4. Hercules SyntheticResins (1949), pp. 3 and 4.

DONALD E, CZAJA, Primary Examiner. L. I. BERCOVITZ, Examiner.

R. A. WHITE, Assistant Examiner.

